Convenience Store Category Manager

at  ONroute

8 PROLOGIS BOULEVARD UNIT 402 MISSISSAUGA ONTARIO L5W 0G9

Convenience Store Category Manager
Do you have 5 years of retail and food-buying management experience? If so, this is the job of you. We currently have a Convenience Store Category Manager position available at ONroute.

SUMMARY:

The Convenience Store Category Manager is responsible for the cross-category end to end management of all aspects of the assortment including open to buy and inventory management, life cycle planning, vendor terms and relations, in-store visual merchandise display, sales per square foot metrics to deliver assigned financial targets, goals and metrics. This role will be for retail market categories including Convenience store alcohol, Candy, Beverages, Grab & Go Fresh offerings and more.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment:

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience in Food and Retail Buying showing progressive growth in buying responsibilities (Operations and Planning experience a benefit).
• Requires proven track record as a Buyer with geographically dispersed retail organization
• Experience managing convenience store categories including beverage, candy and snacks
• Post-secondary experience preferred, ideally Bachelor’s degree or Retail Management Diploma.
• Experience in-store operations, planning and analysis a benefit; working knowledge of supply chain, distribution, and logistics an asset
• Requires experience negotiating contracts and managing third-party/outsourced relationships
• Highly developed computer skills including Microsoft Office and the ability to learn new systems quickly and efficiently
• Requires ability to travel including trade shows as well as site visits across the chain.
• Requires strong technical oral, written, and interpersonal communication skill

• Build assortments to deliver financial metrics including sales, margin and turns while managing all aspects of the vendor relationship.
• Negotiate with vendor partners establishing trading terms, reporting, KPI’s, purchase plans and exit strategies, while working collaboratively to deliver unique displays, fixtures, signage and marketing calendar to maximize footfall and conversion.
• Responsible to create quarterly and full year budgets for assigned categories to deliver key performance metrics set out by the organization.
• Analyze weekly category performance to maximize sales, inventory flow, freight costs, turnover goals and margin performance targets. Works collaboratively with Operations partners to share best practice to maximize total chain.
• Builds partnership strength and quickly adapts to changing market trends within the industry to ensure new innovative products and customized items are maximized in the ONmarket Convenience Store
• Negotiates and creates promotional calendar and partners with suppliers to grow both sales and profitability.
• Manages vendor/supplier logistics and freight management procedures, works with accounting and vendors for timely payments of invoices and processing of rebates, discounts, and RTV’s.
• Regular travel to the travel plazas along the 401 and 400 series Highway to review Markets. Personal reliable vehicle is a must for this position.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment:

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience in Food and Retail Buying showing progressive growth in buying responsibilities (Operations and Planning experience a benefit).
• Requires proven track record as a Buyer with geographically dispersed retail organization
• Experience managing convenience store categories including beverage, candy and snacks
• Post-secondary experience preferred, ideally Bachelor’s degree or Retail Management Diploma.
• Experience in-store operations, planning and analysis a benefit; working knowledge of supply chain, distribution, and logistics an asset
• Requires experience negotiating contracts and managing third-party/outsourced relationships
• Highly developed computer skills including Microsoft Office and the ability to learn new systems quickly and efficiently
• Requires ability to travel including trade shows as well as site visits across the chain.
• Requires strong technical oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills

ONroute is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to having a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all. We value team members with diverse backgrounds and experiences, as we believe it makes our company a better place to work and for our customers to experience. We welcome all applicants and offer reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities upon request throughout the hiring process.
ONroute is recognized under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program’s Recognized Employer Pilot (REP